Rocks’ boss delight for fans after wait for home win ends

Bognor boss Jack Pearce says he is delighted for the fans to finally end the Rocks home hoodoo – but he claims his players have, and can, perform much better.

It is 176 days, or half a year, since the Nyewood Lane faithful had celebrated a league victory on their own turf.

But those six months of hurt were brought to an end last weekend when Bognor overcame a stubborn Braintree Town side to chalk up a much-needed three points.

That win still leaves them second bottom in National South, eight points from safety, to mean Bognor must keep the momentum going when they head to Hampton & Richmond Borough tomorrow (3pm).

Even though the south west London side are fourth, they have not won in three matches – something that will give the Rocks hope as they look to spring their own great escape.

Speaking to the Post, Pearce said: “I’m happy with the result but think it brings home that football is an interesting business.

“Obviously, the result makes everyone happier but personally I didn’t think we played as well as we had done in previous weeks.

“I think we have played better against weaker opposition and lost this year.

“But I’m really pleased for the supporters as it’s all about winning and it made everyone smile a bit. Hopefully, we can carry that forward on to Saturday.”

Frenchman Richard Gillot gave the Rocks the perfect start, netting after only four minutes to steer home a Jimmy Muitt cross.

Then the lead was doubled by the returning Ollie Pearce who lobbed the onrushing Braintree keeper just before the break.

The Essex side made Bognor fans sweat by pulling one back in the second half. But, when the final whistle went, it was greeted with cheers and renewed hope.

It brought the Rocks their first win in all competitions since defeating Taunton Town away in the FA Trophy in mid-December.

At home, the last victory was at the end of November when Hemel Hempstead were defeated in the same competition.

But, in the league, the last time Bognor claimed three points at home was all the way back in August against bottom side Whitehawk. In a strange quirk, the referee that day was the same man in the middle for the Braintree match.

Pearce said: “It is all about results. The first half we did well but the difference was that, when we had chances, we took them.

“I’d rather we didn’t go on the back foot in the second half but, when we haven’t won for a long time, unfortunately whatever the manager says, the natural thing is to drop deeper.

“That was a mistake, but it’s just the way football is when you haven’t won for that long.”